As we live through the continuous tide of new and advanced technology entering our lives, the term “Internet of Things” often gets dropped into the conversation. And although you may have referenced it many times in your own work, lots of people have no idea what it is. So, let’s break it down.  

As part of the electronic engineering world, which enabled the hardware side of modern computing, we understand the Internet as the global network of connected computer assets that allows for real-time sharing of digital information and resources. 

The Internet of Things, on the other hand, is a vast and growing network of physical objects that are embedded with processing power, sensors, software, and Internet connectivity to enable them to collect and exchange data with other, equally-equipped devices and systems. These devices, also called “smart objects” can range from thermostats and refrigerators, to cars and industrial machinery. In theory, any device can be supplied with the rapidly advancing and physically shrinking technology needed to be part of this network. 

Another way to view the Internet of Things is that it is a network of devices that can transfer data to each other without the need of human intervention.

How the Internet of Things Works

It all begins with sensors, or should we say devices with the ability to detect a physical parameter. Individual modern sensors can be used to detect a very large number of physical conditions including: temperature, humidity, pressure, motion, sound, light, fluid level, strain, mass, wind, smoke, occupancy, radiation, chemicals, gases, magnetism, and more.  Smart sensors couple the ability to sense along with the capacity for processing and communications. (See the Onlinecomponents.com blog, “The Smart Sensor Invasion?” on this website).

As we have said, devices with Internet of Things capability combine smart sensors with software and communications technology allowing them to collect, process, and share data with other devices. They can also initiate commands to other devices to take action based on the data analysis. These actions might include turning off the lights in a room, locking a door in an office, or slowing down a conveyor belt in a bakery. Internet of Things devices are typically connected to the Internet via WiFi, Bluetooth, cellular, or private networks. 

This sensing and interconnection capability can enable vast networks of interconnected “smart” devices that not only exchange data, but can also act autonomously and be controlled remotely. This allows for Internet of Things networks to perform tasks like: central monitoring and controlling of processes in factories, tracking inventory or shipments in warehouses, managing regional traffic flow with smart cars, or monitoring and controlling a campus security system.

Internet of Things technology is having, and will continue to have a large impact in areas like the home, commerce, manufacturing, healthcare, transportation, agriculture, and other sectors. The transportation sector is already seeing its influence in automobiles with more innovation to come. Vehicle to Everything (V2X) communication is the overall term for the various car communication protocols that include:

• • • • • • • V2N – Vehicle to Network
            • V2I – Vehicle to Infrastructure
            • V2V – Vehicle to Vehicle
            • V2C – Vehicle to Cloud
            • V2P – Vehicle to Pedestrian
            • V2D – Vehicle to Device
            • V2G – Vehicle to Grid

These levels of sophisticated device communication are directed at improving safety, mitigating the effects of traffic volume, saving time and money, and enhancing the customer experience. At some point soon, your car will communicate back and forth with an upcoming traffic intersection to learn about real-time road congestion, accidents, construction, or closure, and it will use this information to give you better route choices. 

Other Uses and Benefits 

If you’re an engineer, especially one with a good imagination, you can probably see varied uses for Internet of Things technology, many of which are already in place. Some examples are:

• • • • • • • Farmers use it to monitor crops and livestock
            • Hospitals use it to monitor patients or track health data in real time
            • Retailers use it to optimize store layouts or prevent overstock
            • Shipping companies use it to track their fleets and capacity
            • Utilities use it to monitor energy consumption and reduce outages
            • Communications companies use it to monitor remote equipment and predict maintenance

The list goes on, and it’s up to you and others in electronics to invent the future with targeted applications of your own. You can refresh your studies on the basics of electronics, and perhaps develop some of your own Internet of Things ideas, by reviewing the content our Friends at CircuitBread have on their website. Check it out at: www.circuitbread.com.

The Challenges of the Internet of Things

While all of this sounds promising, there are still many issues to work through before this technology can provide the greatest benefits to its users. There are security and privacy concerns inherent in large networks of devices using the Internet to monitor things and people, many of which will have to be addressed by government regulatory bodies.

There are also interoperability concerns, with networks being able to communicate smoothly with each other and devices from different manufacturers working together. Ongoing standardization development over the hardware and software systems involved will likely require effort from industry, government, and standards organizations.

 And finally, there are issues of cost and complexity inherent in advanced technologies and scaling-up systems to match applications. It is estimated that in 2023, the Internet of Things market was worth almost $600 billion dollars, with growth likely into the trillions by 2032. Those are not insignificant numbers.

Summary

The Internet of Things is here to stay and growing rapidly. Despite its name, it isn’t one homogenous network, but rather many individual networks made up of device nodes dedicated to their own particular applications. The common factor is that they all use the Internet to communicate.

According to IOT Analytics, there are about 17 billion devices currently connected (2024) worldwide via the Internet. This figure is forecast to double by 2030. The current leading application according to IOT is process automation with quality control coming in second.